From Skills Gaps to Career Growth: Insights from ISE EXPO 2025’s Workforce Development Program

The Workforce Development Program at ISE EXPO 2025, held on Thursday, July 31, delivered a sharp, purposeful deep dive into what the industry must do to recruit, train, and retain top talent in an era of rapid technological and regulatory change.

Moderated by Steve Harris, SVP and Founder of Learning Alliance and Harris DigiTech Academy & Solutions, the program unfolded in five key segments:

• State of the Industry Panel Discussion & Audience Q&A
• Best Practices: Training & Expanding the Broadband Workforce
• Executive Insights Closing Keynote: The Telecom Tipping Point (Tom Maguire, Brightspeed)
• Lunch with Executive Fireside Chat
• Exhibit Floor Technology Tours

Panelists included industry executives whose leadership is shaping workforce strategy across broadband:

• Fred Arnold, Executive Director & CTO, Learning Alliance Corporation, emphasized workforce‑training partnerships between employers and education providers.
• Chris Disher, Managing Director, Cajun Broadband, highlighted regional deployment needs and hands-on workforce preparedness.
• Bo Gresham, VP of Executive Strategic Partnerships at Dycom, spoke about scaling strategic partnerships that bridge training and field work.
• Tim Moore, Director of Service Provider Markets at UCL Swift North America, highlighted how innovative product solutions help simplify fiber connections and improve the efficacy of field technicians.
• Thomas Tyler, Deputy Director, ConnectLA, represented municipal and economic development perspectives on broadband workforce expansion.
• Alex Adams, Professor & CEO, University of Magdeburg, Germany & AXP Systems Engineering, reminded the group that the commitment to building a strong workforce is no longer an option—it’s the gatekeeper for every project.

Five Key Takeaways

1. The Talent Gap Is Real—and Growing

Steve Harris validated what everyone in the room already suspected: recruiting and retaining broadband talent remains one of the industry’s biggest challenges. Panelists confirmed that, despite competitive salaries, the persistent shortage reflects generational biases toward four-year degrees over trades and a training pipeline that still struggles to keep pace.

2. Employer‑Educator Partnerships are Game Changing

Fred Arnold walked through real-world models for employers to collaborate with leading training companies, vocational programs, and community colleges. These scalable training pathways enable rapid upskilling and job placement.

3. Adaptive Leadership Builds Resilient Teams

Speakers emphasized the importance of adaptive leadership—especially given that 35% of U.S. workers are projected to require reskilling within five years, according to the World Economic Forum's Future of Jobs report. Panelists shared techniques for coaching, hands-on learning, and leading through uncertainty while preserving performance.

4. Regional Insight Is Critical

Cajun Broadband and ConnectLA underscored that workforce readiness must be tailored to regional needs. Chris Disher and Thomas Tyler shared how rural deployments and state-level broadband initiatives demand local strategies—from hands-on training hubs to economic development partnerships.

5. Technology Tours Provide Real Context

Following the lunch fireside chat (moderated by Janice Oliva with panelists including Tim Moore, UCL Swift North America, and Alex Adams, University of Magdeburg & AXP Systems Engineering), attendees toured exhibit booths focused on the latest innovations to evolve fixed and wireless networks.

Why This Program Matters

ISE EXPO has long provided valuable insights into network strategy. This year, the Workforce Development Program elevated the dialogue from theory to tangible solutions. For professionals who plan, build, and operate tomorrow’s networks—the timing couldn’t have been better.